Chicago Sinfonietta 2014 Ball Preview - The city’s hippest orchestra and supporters celebrate a commitment to being the model for diversity and innovation in classical music

The Board of Directors, the 2014 Ball Committee, and Maestro Mei-Ann Chen of the Chicago Sinfonietta, will celebrate 27 years of musical excellence, diversity and innovation at the Annual Ball held at theFairmont Chicago, 200 North Columbus Drive on Saturday, May 31, 2014. The professional orchestra, which re-invents the symphonic experience through collaboration with non-conventional artists in all mediums, hopes to raise nearly a half-million dollars in what is widely-considered one of the city’s hottest tickets of the social season with more than 500 of the city’s most prominent “movers and shakers” expected to be in attendance.

The Sinfonietta is delighted to announce Elena Britton, Marketing Consultant and Civic Leader, as Civic Chair and David and Nadia Rawlinson as Corporate Co-Chairs. David Rawlinson is the Vice President, Deputy General Counsel & Corporate Secretary for Grainger. Nadia Rawlinson is the Co-Head of Global HR at Groupon.

Founded by Paul Freeman, among the nation’s most prominent and acclaimed African American conductors, in 1987, and currently led by acclaimed Asian-American Maestro Mei-Ann Chen, the popular event is designed to raise funds for concert performances and education programs serving young adults and emerging professionals from underserved communities throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. Nadia Rawlinson enthusiastically states, “The Chicago Sinfonietta is singular among its peers because it reflects the people and values of the city it serves – and Chicago is a dynamic, diverse ever-changing place. The Sinfonietta brings this notion to life from the risks it takes within the genre to providing a platform for young, emerging minority virtuosos to shine. The Sinfonietta plays a critical role in the cultural fabric of the city and we are proud to be a part of it.”

“This year’s 2014 Ball celebrates the Chicago Sinfonietta’s commitment to Rethink Redefine Reimagine the face of classical music,” said Elena Britton, Civic Chair. “This is a once in a lifetime experience and I’m proud to support such a dynamic organization that I’ve had the pleasure of working with for seven years.” Britton’s comments reinforce this year’s event theme of Rethink, Reimagine and Redefine, a hallmark of the orchestra’s programming, which includes unexpected performances with artists and musicians, ranging from rock bands, gospel and youth choirs, puppeteers, and dancers in an effort to bring new audiences into the concert hall, long considered an interest of only the elite. David Rawlinson agrees stating “The Sinfonietta represents something unique in the world of music, the juxtaposition of classical music and diverse themes, bringing Día de los Muertos to the world of Bach and Global Dance to the world of Beethoven, it is one of the most innovative experiences possible in the world of classical music and we are looking forward to celebrating this institution at the Ball.”

With its exuberant Music Director, Maestro Mei-Ann Chen, the orchestra will celebrate the bright future of this incredible, essential ensemble while making strides toward their fundraising efforts. The evening will feature a cocktail reception in the International Ballroom, a magnificent four-course gourmet dinner created by Executive Chef John Cordeaux in the Imperial Ballroom, an exciting raffle and live auction, as well as a paddle raise for the education outreach programs. Maestro Mei-Ann Chen will lead the full orchestra in an exhilarating performance highlighting some of the 13-14 season’s most innovative collaborations featuring surprise guest artists and celebrating some of the upcoming season’s most exciting pieces. To cap off the evening, there will be a post-performance After Party including a DJ.

Reservations are still available in limited availability starting at $400, tables starting at $5,000. Please see Chicago Sinfonietta Ball web pageor call 312.284.1559 to explore available opportunities.

About the Chicago Sinfonietta - The Chicago Sinfonietta is a professional orchestra that forms unique cultural connections through the universal language of symphonic music. For over 26 years, the Sinfonietta has pushed artistic and social boundaries to provide an alternative way of hearing, seeing and thinking about a symphony orchestra. Each concert experience fuses inventive new works with classical masterworks from a diverse array of voices to entertain, transform and inspire. The Chicago Sinfonietta performs five subscription concerts in both downtown Chicago at Symphony Center and in Naperville at Wentz Concert Hall. The Sinfonietta has a proud history of having enriched the cultural, educational and social quality of life in Chicago under the guidance of Founding Music Director Paul Freeman. Mei-Ann Chen succeeded Paul Freeman as the Chicago Sinfonietta’s Music Director beginning with the 2011-12 season. In 2012 the Sinfonietta was honored with two national awards for excellence from the League of American Orchestras, one for adventurous programming and one recognizing Maestro Chen with the Helen M. Thompson Award for an Emerging Music Director.